Western Australia Bans No-Grounds Tenant Evictions

A single mother with a severely disabled child was living in such poor conditions that NDIS support workers refused to enter her home. But she stayed silent about the mold and disrepair, terrified her landlord would kick her out without warning.

That fear just became illegal in Western Australia. The state government announced it's banning no-grounds evictions, ending a practice that let landlords terminate leases without providing any reason.

Commerce Minister Tony Buti called it a "commonsense approach" to balancing the rights of renters and landlords. WA and the Northern Territory were the only Australian jurisdictions still allowing the practice.

The announcement marks a major policy reversal. Former Premier Mark McGowan previously argued that banning no-grounds evictions could scare away property investors and worsen the housing shortage.

For former renter Le, the change comes too late but not too small. Last year, she questioned a bizarre contract clause requiring her to leave during property inspections. Five days later, she received a 30-day eviction notice with no explanation.

"Every single person who's renting really just has no stability," Le said. "I think it's a really good step in the right way."

In Margaret River, where median rent has hit $900 per week, housing support worker Shona Hunter felt relief wash over her. She's seen countless tenants choose dangerous living conditions over homelessness.

"It takes a lot of bravery to speak out and ask for something like mold to be fixed," Hunter explained. "People are scared to speak up because there are so few rentals out there."

The Ripple Effect

The Real Estate Institute of WA worried the ban might reduce investor interest in rental properties. But Anglicare WA points to evidence from other states showing no such impact after implementing similar bans.

Landlords can still evict tenants for legitimate reasons like property damage or consistently missed rent payments. The change simply requires they provide an actual reason instead of leaving families in limbo.

The government is also extending one-off rent relief payments for tenants at risk of eviction, adding another layer of protection for vulnerable renters.

For families like the single mother who can now safely request repairs without fear of retaliation, the policy represents something simple but profound: the right to speak up about unsafe conditions without losing the roof over their heads.